England spinner Graeme Swann has heaped praise on his "mate" and former captain Andrew Strauss after the 35-year-old announced his retirement from cricket.

Swann, who was a huge part of England's rise to world number one Test side during Strauss's tenure, has spoken of his respect for the most successful England captain in recent history.

"We go back 12 or 13 years to when we were kids and sharing a room at the England Academy in Adelaide," he wrote in his column for The Sun.

"I love Straussy to bits. He's been my captain in all but a couple of my Tests and there is nobody I admire or respect more. I couldn't be more proud to call him a mate.

"Some people are born to lead and he is, without a doubt, a guy you would happily follow into the trenches."

Swann has played 46 Tests for England.